2017 Awards: Fighter of the Year

This past year has giving us some memorable fights and some breakout fighters, making it quite difficult to pick just one Fighter of the Year, but we did. So check it out who the FirstClassBoxing team have chosen for the 2017 Fighter of the Year.

For me it was a toss up between Vasyl Lomachenko and Srisaket Sir Rungvisai. But, I had to give it to Vasyl ‘No Mas’ Lomachenko and here’s why. In 2017 he had three fights against three very good opponents who have all shown they belong at world level and to put it bluntly, Lomachenko made them all quit. The Ukrainian wizard is probably the best pure boxer I have ever seen and I don’t think there is anyone to compete with him at super featherweight. So, a step up to lightweight to face someone like Mikey Garcia would be a good test for Vasyl ‘No Mas’ Lomachenko.

Tough choice this year but for me it’s Srisaket Sor Rungvisai. Had Golovkin correctly been given the nod against Canelo, he’d have taken it but 2017 belongs to the Thai. He ran Gonzalez – the PFP top dog – to the wire in their first fight which was an instant classic. SSR got the decision, which some disputed, but then absolutely annihilated Gonzalez in the rematch, which despite being a beautiful KO was actually quite sad to watch. No two wins top those two for me and the fact the first was such an incredible fight seals his place for fighter of the year. Crawford deserves mention for unifying his division but ultimately his competition just wasn’t to the same standard. I look forward to seeing if SSR can continue this run into 2018. With his strength and toughness, he’s a difficult ask for anyone.

In 2017, there were a handful of fighters that could be picked as the fighter of the year. There is Anthony Joshua, Terrence Crawford, and Mikey Garcia. But I have to make the same pick I did a year ago and that is Vasyl Lomachenko. For me, choosing Lomachenko as 2017’s fighter of the year is a no brainer.

In a day, where so many champions fight once or twice a year, Vasyl Lomachenko, who is always looking to stay active fought three times. The other candidates each only fought twice, and Mikey Garcia, who is undoubtable one of the best boxers in the world looks like he wants no parte with Vasyl “no mas” Lomachenko. Just three weeks ago, Lomachenko completely dominated the former two-time Olympic gold medal winner, Guillermo Rigondeaux to the point where he quit in the corner. Not only did he make it look easy, but Lomachenko toyed with Rigondeaux as he took him to school and took his undefeated record. In his two other showings of 2017, Lomachenko dominated Miguel Marriaga and Jason Sosa to the point where they uttered “no mas” in the corner. Rigondeaux was the fourth straight opponent to quit out of shear frustration because of Lomachenko’s matrix like boxing abilities.

Not only was his victory against Rigondeaux one of the most impressive victories of the year, but Vasyl has shown that he is willing to fight anybody. First it was Saldio, then it was Gary Russel Jr., then Nicholas Walters, and now Rigondeaux. Next on his hit list are Mikey Garcia and Jorge Linares, if they dare to step up to the plate.

It’s got to be Vasyl ‘no-mas-chenko’ for me. The way he physically and mentally dismantled all three of his opponents throughout 2017 was nothing short of outstanding. Lomas first two opponents – Jason Sosa and Miguel Marriaga. Both solid contenders who would give anyone in their divisions a tough night were forced to cry no-mas. Jason Sosa tapping out in the 9th and Marriaga quit in the 7th. These two fights alone would have put Lomachenko up there for fighter of the year however in December Lomachenko faced the dangerous two time Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux – on paper Lomas toughest test to date. This was a highly anticipated fight that had boxing all over the world juiced up. Lomachenko dismantled Rigondeaux and picked him apart from every conceivable angle – making the Cuban quit in just 6 rounds complaining about a hand injury which turned out to be BS. Lomachenko only problem. Where to go next?